Means for designing and laying out plans of building



J. D. MCCALL 2,545,409

MEANS FOR DESIGNING AND LAYING OUT PLANS OF BUILDING March 13, 1951 5Sheefcs-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 0 00000000000 000000000000000 000000000 000 000000 00 00000000000000 0 00000 oooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo00000000 0000 0 oo 000000000000 o 000 00 0 000000000000000 0000000000000000 000 0000 00 00 0000 00000000 0 00000 ooooooooooo 00000000000000 0000 0000000000 0 00000 o0ooooooooooooooooooooooo 0000 0000 0000000 0000000000000000 o o oo oo 00 0000 000000 0 o 00 00090000000000 0 o 0o00 00 0000000000 000 00 00 00 00 0000 0000000000 0 oo oo 000000 00 cc0000 00 00006000000000 mo 00 oooooooooooooooooooooo 000 o 00 00000000000000 000 0000000 000 0000000 0 00 00000000 000000 0 00 0000 o 00 00000000 0 00000000 000000 000 .uHnHu-o boo 00 00000000000000 000 000000oooobo 0000000000000 0 n 000 00 0000 000000000 00 0 00000ooooooooooooooo u 00 00000 00 00000000 ooooo/ N 0 00 00000 ooooooooooo0000 n 0000000 00 0000 ooooooooofi o 00 0000000 ooooooooooo 0000 n0000000 00 c000 0000 000000 oo 00 000000 0000 000000 0000 n 00 00000 000000 0000000000 000 ooooo o oooooooooooo 0000 u 00 00000 00 0000 0000 o000 00 o 0000000 o 0000 000000 0000 u 00 000 0000 0000 0000 000000 000000000 000 oooooooooooo u 000 00 oo oo 000000000000 00 oooooooooooooooooooooooo u 00 0000000 00000000 0000 00 o 00 000 00ooooooooooooooo u 00000 0000 000 00000 0000 00 o 00 0000000000 00 000000 0000 00 000 oo oo 000000000000 00 000 00333235355OOOOOOOOOCOOOOOOOOOOOOO 000 000 00 000000000 00 0000000 00 00000000000000 0 oo ooooooooooo 00000000 00 0000 000000000 00000 0 oo 000000000000 0000000 0000 o on 00000000 0000 00 000 o ooooooooooooooooooooo oo 00 000000 00 000000 0 oo o 0 0000000000 0000 0000 0000 0000000000000000 000 0 000000000000000 00 0 00 0000 000000000 00000 0 oo 00000000 ooooooooo o 0000000 00000000000000 0 oo o o ooooooooooooooooo00000 00 00000000 0000 00 o oo o oo 00000000000 00 0000000000 oeoooooo o000 00 000 O OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO o oo 0 000000000000000000 00000 00 0000 0000000000 000 0 00000 oooooooooooooo oo 00 0000000000 000000 0 oo 0 0000000000000000 0 000000 cc 0000 0000 0000 00 o 00000 oooooooooooeooooo 000000 0000 0000 0000 000000 000 o 0000 0000 00OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO OOOOOOOOOGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO March 13, 1951 J Mcc LL MEANS FOR DESIGNING ANDLAYING OUT PLANS OF BUILDING 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 17, 1947 m a.000 000000& 000000000 fi oooyooooow D Q D 240 Q C D a ca 00000 00 060000 ooooo 0 00000 0 00000 #0 00000 O OQ Iia loIQ o ooooohv 000000000 00000000% WOOQJSOCDNQ ho oooooooo%w INVENTOR.

Patented Mar. 13, 1951 UNITED STAT {OFFICE "-MEANS FOR -DESIGNING'AND'LAY-ING OUT S i OF BUILDING John -D. McCall, ,Powell, Wyn.

.Application December 17, 1947, Serial N 0. 792,238

1,4 :Claims. 1

My invention relates to a: new and :improved means fordesigningandflaying out the floor plans of buildings, and while not:specifically limited thereto, is principally concerned with';perfectinga means by Whichthe -prospec'tive shom'e-zown'er, architect, ordecorator may "be enabledtto evisual- 'ize the projected construction,renovation, "or 1 decoration of a building insadvancei of tits :com-

pletion and may adjust "the design .:or 'I'layout to meet the particularrequirements of the ultimate *user.

*By means and methods "known ='and-rusedprior to my inventionis-practically I-impossible lfOl the layman to "create an accurate fioorplan or design due to his inability"to use: drafting equipment.Buildings heretofore constructed have been planned and plans have ibeenvdrawn "by architects or other designers swell :acquainted with suchpractice. Very few people are sufficiently 'skilled' in reading planstoibe abletoiully visualize and appreciatethe exactresultsin idesigninga-ndlayout that=will be obtained inthe 7 completed building. As -aconsequencennany expensive drawings *and I delays are-inecessitated "asthe designer tediously redraw-s 1 his :plans to a meet the newlyrealized needs of ithe builder. .In a great number of casesthednadequacy of :a :particular building'is not 'recognizeduntilith'eiowner occupies the premises and attempts to :arrange hisfurniture w-ithin the several :rooms. It:is then discovered that oneroom is too small and 'another too large, or that: theplacement'tofIdoors and windows in relation 'to' the furniture,'.lS,'l.1'n-' sightly or inconvenient.

An object of my invention is to'provide' armeans sufliciently simple and"inexpensive oft-manufacture that the layman will rbeiable to idesignthe floor plan andlayout-*ofazprospectivei"residence or other building.

Another object of my invention is ito'provide a means of designingand'laying 'out lloor'zplans 'by the use of which the average'persontwill"be ableto see-exactly and instantly thetrue:rela-'tionsliip, one to another,:o'i' al1:o'f the component parts ofthe'projected 'building,:and'the effect thereon of various arrangements.and -:-combinations of furnishings.

Stillsanother -cbject:df my :inventionris-to provide ameans';for.:designing: and ilaying out ifloorplansiso-simplaandiinexpensive that jtheprospecfive-homeowner\orzbuilder -will be able to conceive and executeshiszown'iplans :forprojected residence or other :buil dingpmakingsuch changes and revisionsnsrseemgnecessary o-both'ieasily :and

quickly as the design;orilayout5progresses.

A further object of my invention is to provide 'a means for designingandlaying out floor-plans such that an architect or'designer mayrapidlytranslate the ideas of a :clientzinto 'a readily-understandable formthat permits corrections and adjustments, so that the finallyapproved-plan may be arrivedat in a short'time.

Yet another object iszto provide ia1means for designing and laying outfloor plans'which'will permit the accurate representation in reduced-=scale of building plans :and the arrangement thereon of variousarticles of furniture.

My invention contemplates the use of a substantially flat base member:'in which ;a :plurality of holes are drilled or impressed or otherwise'formed. The'holes are located or arranged in substantially parallellines to substantially em- -'-brace the entire area of the board onwhich it is desired to plan, and these holes are of such Idiametricaldimensions ands-are spaced in such relation, one with-respect totheiother, as to permit fractional measurementsthat will correspond to'thegenerally used architectural or engineering-scales, such as 1'. Withthis in mind,

and'using the /4" scale, the holes willrbe drilled or located on Acenters. A plurality of substantially 1 cylindrical peg-like members ofdiametrical-size slightlyless than the size .of the holes are providedto :be readily inserted-in and "withdrawn-fromthe holes, and these pegscanibe inserted in selected openings with the ends extending upwardlyabove the surface of the base 'member to indicate dimensional points'andoutlinesof exteriorwalls, partitions, and the like, to

be laid out to indicate such points of a desired plan. For-example,when'the base member is 'made up for the scale of AM- 1, the pegs will.be of a diameter representing the thickness of a wall of the finishedplan of a building.

It is further contemplated that filaments, such as string,"thread, orrubber bands of a color that contrasts with the color of the base memberare to be provided to be wrapped'about and stretched between portions ofthe peglike members which extend above'the base, in order that'the userof .my invention may represent the outlines of walls,

partitions and the like in a manner that pictures truly and exactly theform to be assumed by the finished structure.

By the use ofsuch filaments it is possible not only to.,bring intorelief theoutlines of walls, .buta discontinuation of the'filamentbetweentwo or more adjoiningrpeg-like members maybe usedtorrepresent openings in .the walls such as doors,

windows, arches,rand the-like. .As the thread-like 3 or filament membersare wrapped around and drawn on both sides of the pegs, these filamentswill represent floor plan areas, and at the same time will show wallthicknesses, and will define door and window and other architecturalopenings and features usually desired to be indicated upon a floor plan.

My invention further contemplates the use of peglike members providedwith enlarged, flattened tops, upon which tops are to be stamped orprinted the names or designations of the several rooms of the buildingsuch as, kitchen, dining room, etc., and which peglike members shall beplaced in holes within the outline established upon my floor planningdevice in order to show to advantage the relative positions of theseveral rooms of the building.

Also contemplated by my invention is the provision, along with the basemember, filaments, and peglike members, of what I shall calltwodimensional scaled furniture outlines. The dimensions of thesefurniture outlines are to be such as to correspond to the scale ofmeasurements of the holes in the base member, thus enabling the user-ofmy device to see how furniture may best be arranged Within the variousrooms of the projected building.

Many other objects and advantages of my device will be immediatelyapparent to those versed in the art, among which I wish to point out theuse of my apparatus in determining the location,

size, and shape of a building, when the dimensions of the plot of landupon which it is to be constructed are known.

In this instance the outline of the plot of ground, or lot may be laidout on the base member by the use of the peglike members and thefilaments. It is then possible to plan and adjust the size and shape ofthe projected building to fit the lot. During this process the thicknessof walls and partitions will be readily apparent due to the scaleddiametric dimensions of the peglike members, and, through a process oftrial and error adjustment, maximum use may be made of all availablespace both on the building site, and within the outline of the building.It is further possible that peglike members may at this time be placedwithin the outline of the building site in order to ascertain thelandscaping effect and desired position of various trees,shrubs and thelike.

With these and other objects in view, some of which Will be apparent tothose skilled in the art, and others which result from the constructionand use of my apparatus, my invention consists of the construction,arrangement and combination of the Various parts comprising my device,by means of which the objects contemplated are attained, as will behereinafter more fully set forth, and which will be better understood byreference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of my designing and layout device, upon whichthe floor plan of a building has been reproduced by the means of myinvention.

Fig. 2 represents an enlarged portion of the plan view, illustrating alayout that might be used in designing a bathroom, closet or otherinterior structure.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, and shows the insertionin the base member of the peglike members and the placement relativethereto of the filamentary members.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged portion of the plan View, showing the positioningof some of the twoand the like.

4 dimensional scaled furniture out ines within the floor plan of abuilding.

Fig. 5 is'a plan view of the two-dimensional scaled furniture outlines.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one type of furniture outline.

Fig. '7 and Fig. 8 are perspective views of two types of peglikemembers.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a modified peglike member used todesignate the several rooms of the projected building.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein similar charactersof reference denote similar parts, I have shown a base member,substantially rectangular in outline and composed of Wood, pressedfiber, metal or other suitable material, into which a plurality of holeshave been drilled or otherwise impressed partially therethrough andgrouped insuch a way as to correspond generally with the rectangularoutline of the base member. These holes are regularly spaced one fromthe other as may be seen by reference to Figure 1, the spacing to bedetermined by the scale of measurement intended to be used, and arefurther arranged in a plurality of parallel transversely extending rows.The base member may be of any desired size, and may be constructed anddesigned for use with any desired architectural or engineering scale.

In order to accomplish the design and laying out of a floor plan on basemember I, substantially cylindrical peglike members 2 are provided to beused in defining corners, junctions, wall openings, and othersignificant points of the design. These members are of a diametercorresponding to the diameter of and yet to be fitted freely withinholes 3, so as to permit ready placement in or withdrawal from holes 3.It is intended that these peg 2 shall be of sufiicient length to allow asubstantial portion to project above the surface of the base I when theyare fully seated in holes 3 as shown in Fig. 3.

As stated, the base is made of desired size and shape to suit theparticular use and the particular scale; and, in the present instance,the illustration may be taken as typical of a base member and associatedparts capable of employment in the generally used architectural scale ofA"1'. For this scale, the holes will be drilled or located on A"centers. The substantially cylindrical peg-like members are provided ofa diameter to be freely fitted in the holes and to be readily removed;and, with the use of a plurality of pegs it is possible to locate mainpoints or salient dimensions for the outlines of exterior walls,partitions, and the like as it is desired to lay these out. When thepegs are in place with the ends upstanding, the diameter will representthe thickness of a wall, and when the filament or thread-like membersare wrapped around and upon both sides of the pegs, such filaments willrepresent both sides or the thickness of a wall, and at the same timewill represent dimensions of rooms and other spaces desired to beindicated.

With particular reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, filaments 4, such asstring, thread, or rubber bands are supplied to outline'walls,partitions These filaments 4 are to be of a color contrasting with thecolor of base member I, so that When secured to and stretched betweenthe pegs 2 as shown, they bring into vivid relief the dimensions andpositions'of the several portions of the projected structure or otherdesign, and so that the interval between two adjacent, parallelfilaments will accurately represent imam-c9 the scaled down dimensionsof:the" wall thikness,

*as at 5.

'-I=n iFig. 4, the layout 'df a 'roo'm h'a's been a'ccomplished f andthe arrangement of :fiirniture is being 1 undertaken. 'I wo di'mens'ional seal'ed turnitureoutlines are provided in sizes tocorresp'ond toth'escaleof'base member I, and in the layout shown, scaleoutlines of a bathtub 6, toilet I and Wash bowl *8 -='have"been placedon the base member -I, withinwthe outlines-of the room, to determinewhether the room is-of the proper shape and dimensions to .containthefurniture and most eificien'tly "s'erv'e "thepur'pose for which it was-designed.

' In it'figt': 'areshownsome of tlie two-dimensional scaled' f-urni-tureoutlines' that may be em ployed "in the practice of my --invention 1such .idouble bed 4], twin bed ifl dr-esser i l, chest of lid'r aw'ers 42, crib l3, davenpor-t Hi, *occaslional :chair I715, lounge chair 4-6,dining table n, dining chair T8, bath tub ii, wash -bowl '8, toilet.1,.kitchen range N), refrigerator-2.0, w ork table -.and sink 21, theseveral types of work table 22E223,2t and 25, floor lamp 26, consoleradio 21, and night stand 26. Of course, many other articles may berepresented by scaled outlines and I do not limit myself to those abovelisted.

The two-dimensional scaled outline furniture may be made of any suitablematerial, preferably light, tough cardboard, and may be furnished asseparate pieces, or may, as is well known, be furnished in the form of asheet upon which are printed, and the outlines perforated, the severalarticles to be represented.

In Fig. 7, I have shown the peglike member 2 to be used in designatingsignificant points of design, and upon which the filamentary members 4are placed. Fig. 8 represents a modification of the peglike members inwhich a slot or cut 29 is provided in the head of the peg 30 along thelongitudinal axis in which it is intended that a filament may readily besupported.

In Fig. 9 I have shown an element which is to be used to differentiatethe several rooms of a building design. It consists briefly of asupporting member 3|, and a flat, head member 32 supported thereon, uponwhich head member 32 is stamped or imprinted the designation of aparticular room 33.

. In practicing my invention, the designer, with the base before him asshown in Figure 1, selects a suitable point from which to start thefloor plan. A peg is inserted at this point. Using this peg as areference point, and counting the spaces between holes of vertical orhorizontal rows as a measure of scale distance, the designer may thenlay out the exterior Walls of the building to such dimensions as hedeems correct. When the perimeter of the building has been establishedin this manner it is possible for the designer to place pegs to mark thelocation of the interior partitions of the several rooms. Pegs may beplaced two or more spaces apart to represent openings in the walls andpartitions. Filaments are then placed about the proper pegs for exteriorwalls, partitions, and the like, leaving breaks in the filament atspaces that represent doors and other full openings in the walls. Afterthe filaments are in place on the exterior walls,

the designer may insert pegs between such filaments to show the positionof windows and similar partial openings.

To identify the functions of the several rooms the designer inserts thepeglike identification elements into the base within the outline of therooms to be designated.

I $6 With the ba'sic fl'o'or plan thus established,

"the designer may'-place thefscale furniture withinthe outlines of th'erooms so that f the relation While the form of my device which "I havedescribed-and the-method Hiave set forth herein are such as I haveconstructed and usedand h'a-ve found-by trial to be suit'ed to thepurposes --fstateii, it "will *be rea'dily understood by those*sfkil-le'ci' i'n the art that my inventionis susceptible bf variouscha'nge's and 'modi'fic'a'tions without departing l 'from the spirit andscope explained herein and set Torthin the appended claims.

-I laim:

Means f'or designing andEla'yi-ng out 'plans ildings conrpri si-ng asubstantially flat base member ha ving a plur-ali ty of 'hole's thereinlocate'd and-spaced to desired scale-dimensions, said openings being or.diameter substantially 'corresponding with wall thickness on the scaleadopted, a plurality of substantially cylindrical peglike members ofdiameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the holesinsertable in desired plan outline relationship in holes in the base andhaving their upper ends extending above the top plane of the base, andthread-like members wrapped around and on both sides of the extendingends of the peg-like members in such a way that the space between twopeg-like members in the order of the plan is enclosed on both sides bythe thread-like member, thus indicating both sides of the wall intendedto be shown and giving wall limits of spaces and areas desired to beshown on the plan.

2. Means for designing and laying out plans of buildings comprising asubstantially flat base member having a plurality of holes thereinlocated and spaced to desired scale dimensions, said openings being ofdiameter substantially corresponding with wall thickness on the scaleadopted, a plurality of substantially cylindrical peg-like members ofdiameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the holesinsertable in desired plan outline relationship in holes in the base andhaving their upper ends extending above the top plane of the base,thread-like members wrapped around and on both sides of the extendingends of the peg-like members in such a way that the space between twopeg-like members in the order of the plan is enclosed on both sides bythe thread-like member, thus indicating both sides of the wall intendedto be shown and giving wall limits of spaces and areas desired to beshown on the plan, and designation carrying peglike members insertablein certain of the openings of the base member to designate room areasand the like as thus defined by the thread-like members.

3. Means for designing and laying out plans of buildings comprising asubstantially flat base member having a plurality of holes thereinlocated and spaced to desired scale dimensions, said openings being ofdiameter substantially corresponding with wall thickness on the scaleadopted, a plurality of substantially cylindrical peglike members ofdiameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the holesinsertable in desired plan outline relationship in holes in the base andhaving their upper ends extending above the plane of the top of thebase, threadlike members wrapped around and on both sides of theextending ends of the peg-like members in such a way that the spacebetween two peglike members in the order of the plan is enclosed on bothsides by the thread-like member, thus indicating both sides of the wallintended to be shown and giving walllimits of spaces and areas desiredto be shown on the plan, and two dimensional furniture and fixtureoutline members made to dimensions corresponding to the adopted scaleplaceable upon the base member within the areas as outlined by thethreadlike members.

4. Means for designing and laying out plans of buildings comprising asubstantially fiat base member having a plurality of holes thereinlocated in parallel transversely extending rows and with individualholes and the rows spaced apart to correspond with desired adopted scaledimensions, said holes being of a diameter corresponding substantiallyto a wall thickness of the adopted scale, a plurality of substantiallycylindrical peg-like members of diameter corresponding to the diameterof the openings insertable in the holes at desired designated plannedcorner and 8 opening locations for walls and having their upper endsextending above the plane of the base member, and thread-like memberswrapped around and drawn between the cylindrical peglike members and onboth sides thereof to thus give a plan outline and indicate wallthickness.

JOHN D. McCALL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 757,568 Renshaw Apr. 19, 19041,519,965 Hovhannessian Dec. 16, 1924 1,891,654 Simon Dec. 20, 19321,973,900 Hylander Sept. 18, 1934 1,987,480 Kelley Jan. 8, 19351,988,301 Cofiin Jan. 15, 1935 2,006,462 Kupper July 2, 1935 2,298,081Cohen Oct. 6, 1942 2,405,808 Armbright Aug. 13, 1946

